Discover ZealandiaTē Māra a Tāne

An ecosanctuary in the heart of Wellington with an extraordinary 500-year vision

Welcome to the world’s first fully-fenced urban ecosanctuary. Our extraordinary 500-year vision is to restore the valley’s forest and freshwater ecosystems to a pre-human state.

Set around a picturesque reservoir, Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne is home to some of New Zealand's most rare and extraordinary wildlife — all thriving wild in a protected sanctuary.

Wētā alternative description.

Open daily

9:00am–5:00pm. Last entry at 4:00pm.

Public holidays

Open every day except Christmas Day.

Getting here

We're just a stone's throw from the Wellington CBD. Here we are on a map and these are all your transport options.

Getting around

The sanctuary has many tracks, and some are wheelchair-friendly.  Download our visitor map. [PDF, 6.4 MB]

Plan your visit.

Connect with nature.
Visit Zealandia.

Explore the outdoors at your own pace or join a guided tour! During the day, walk amongst rare birds like hihi, kākāriki, and takahē. Spot prehistoric reptiles like the tuatara bathing in the sun. On a guided tour, see how the sanctuary transforms after dark and search for glow worms or kiwi roaming free.

See the source of the increasing native bird biodiversity in Wellington while supporting our ground-breaking conservation research.

Plan your visit.

Bird perching.

Unforgettable functions

Host your next function, meeting or corporate event in a unique and tranquil setting. Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne provides a picturesque backdrop while supporting our vital conservation efforts.

We offer packages for small groups or more significant gatherings to suit your function or event. Indulge in modern New Zealand cuisine with a conscience, or choose from various tour activities to explore the iconic sanctuary. Make your next event an extraordinary, unforgettable experience. 

Explore our venues and packages.

Travel to a prehistoric environment

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This image is highly responsive. Desktop visitors see an extreme panorama and can click to open a regular, full-screen image. Mobile devices show a different, appropriately cropped version and a phone-friendly portrait image is displayed when tapped. All four image sources and dimensions are customisable. The photographer credit and website link are editable. Image: Photographer www.website.co.nz